March 9 DVD roundup

Big releases this week: “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day,” “Old Dogs,” “Planet 51,” “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” “Up In The Air.” The New Orleans Saints get their Super Bowl commemorative video. And lots of TV: “Greek,” “Hannah Montana,” “Matt Houston,” “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Walker, Texas Ranger” for starters.

Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at discount stores or online.

Barbie in A Mermaid Tale

Universal, 75 minutes, $19.98

The teenager Barbie becomes a mermaid in this reversal of the “Little Mermaid” story. Extras: bloopers, music video, surfing featurette.

Biographical look at the four Warner Brothers and their impact on Hollywood as they built the first major studio with a social conscience. No extras listed.

Charlie and Lola: Volume 10 – I Can’t Stop Hiccupping

BBC Video, 99 minutes, 9 episodes, $14.98

More animated adventures of the British brother and his younger sister that used to show on the Playhouse Disney morning show on Disney Channel. No extras listed.

Dalziel and Pascoe: Season One

BBC Video, 350 minutes, $34.98

Another British detective show, with Warren Clarke as the blunt Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel and Colin Buchanan as the well-mannered Detective Inspector Peter Pascoe, investigating cases for the Mid-Yorkshire Criminal Investigation Department. And I thought U.S. television had a preponderance of cop shows. No extras listed.

Etta Milford (Elaine Hendrix) takes her family financial matters into her own hands after her husband Chester (Luke Perry) blows the nest-egg on make-shift inventions. She blackmails the sheriff (Jon Gries) and holds up the town grocery store, for starters. Hilarity is supposed to ensue. Also stars LeAnn Rimes. Extras: commentary, behind-the-scenes footage.

Greek: Chapter Four

ABC Studios, 522 minutes, 12 episodes, 3 discs, $29.99

Fourth year of the drama at Cyprus-Rhodes University and its row of sorority and fraternity houses. Extras: bloopers, recap, making-of featurette, music video, commentaries.

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

Sony, 90 minutes, G

DVD: $24.96

BD: $34.95

College professor (Richard Gere) discovers an abandoned Akita puppy on the way home from work. Despite his wife’s (Joan Allen) initial objections, Hachi endears himself into the family and the town’s heart. Extras: two making-of featurettes. BD adds BD-Live/movieIQ.

Hannah Montana: Miley Says Goodbye?

Disney, 134 minutes, 6 episodes, $19.99

Six episodes from the popular Disney Channel series, including the never-before-seen episode where Miley (Cyrus) has to decide whether to stay in Hollywood or return home to Tennessee. Hmm. Fame and fortune or backwoods horse farm. Tough choice. Extras: bonus episode, backstage tour of the show, pop-up trivia.

In Plain Sight: Season Two

Universal, 639 minutes, 3 discs, $39.98

Mary McCormack returns as U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon, part of the Federal Witness Protection Program. She protects witnesses that relocate to Albuquerque. Must be a lot of them there. Extras: commentaries, gag reel.

Matt Houston: The First Season

CBS Video, 1,171 minutes, 6 discs, $49.98

Lee Horsley stars as the wealthy Texas oilman who takes up private detective work in L.A. as a diversion from his extravagant lifestyle and romancing. No extras listed.

Sports marketing directors Dan (Robin Williams) and Charlie (John Travolta) become temporary dads when Dan’s ex-wife (Kelly Preston) drops their twins off for two weeks. Hilarity is supposed to ensue, but since this was one of the worst reviewed films of 2009 (6% on the Tomatometer), you should be wary. Extras: commentary, deleted scenes, bloopers. BD adds two music videos, featurette.

An alien lands on a planet in the 1950s, causing everyone in town to go into a tizzy. The difference is that the planet is home to the green people, and the “invader” is actually a U.S. astronaut (voice of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). Extras: extended scenes, short film, two featurettes, animation progression reels, interactive game. BD adds music video montage, different interactive game.

Possession

Fox, 85 minutes, PG-13, $22.98

After a car accident renders Jess’ (Sarah Michelle Gellar) husband Ryan (Michael Landes) and his brother Roman (Lee Pace) in a coma, things are bad enough. But when Roman wakes up and tries to convince Jess that he is her actual husband, it gets eerie. Tension is supposed to ensue. Extras: featurette, deleted/alternate scenes, alternate ending.

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Lionsgate, 110 minutes, R

DVD: $29.95

BD: $39.95

Precious (newcomer Gabourey Sidibe in her first ever role, nominated for Best Actress) is a mentally challenged teenager growing up in Harlem with an abusive mother (Mo’Nique, nominated for Best Supporting Actress). She’s pregnant with her second child, with both of them from her father. But she has dreams, and she does have some people on her side. Another of this year’s Best Picture nominees. Probably won’t win, but if the Oscars had stayed with five films, it still would have made the list. Extras not available at press time.

Special Ops Mission

Gaiam/Discovery, 258 minutes, 2 discs, $19.98

Military Channel series about a former Army Ranger/Air Force Pararescueman who must run a gauntlet of military objectives while an opposing force tries to stop him. No extras listed.

Super Bowl XLIV Champions: New Orleans Saints

NFL Films/Warner Bros.

DVD: $24.98

BD: $34.99

Yearly commemorative disc of this year’s Super Bowl champions, the “Who Dat” New Orleans Saints and their defeat of the favored Indianapolis Colts. Extras: Media Day interviews, the halftime show (with the Who), post-game ceremonies, Anthony Hargrove player featurette. BD adds four more featurettes on Hargrove, head coach Sean Payton, Jeremy Shockey and Deuce McAllister.

Toddlers and Tiaras: Season 1

Gaiam/Discovery, 387 minutes, 2 discs, $19.98

Very young children are entered by their “doting” (think “domineering” and you’ll be closer to the truth) mothers into beauty contests. I’m sorry, but every time I see this show, I think of Jon Benet Ramsey, not “Little Miss Sunshine.” No extras listed.

Tremors: The Complete Series

Universal, 557 minutes, 3 discs, $29.98

Short-lived TV show based on the film series about a small town in Nevada that has a problem with underground man-eating monsters. No extras listed.

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a professional “Termination Facilitator.” His job is to spend a lot of time on airplanes, flying to different corporation facilities and fire people. Roger Ebert said that this isn’t a comedy; nor is it a tragedy. “It’s an observant look at how a man does his job.” Nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor (Clooney). Jason Reitman, the son of comedy director Ivan Reitman, directs it. The prodigy already has the two smart films “Thank You For Smoking” and “Juno” under his belt; he continues the streak. Extras: commentary, featurette, deleted scenes. BD adds more deleted scenes, music video, storyboards.